St Paul Worst Crime Area (Minneapolis, St. Paul: renting, hotel, houses)

[lukeache]

I was looking at the St Paul crime map and the worst part of the city for crime (not surprisingly) is East St Paul, just about any immediate areas along Arcade Street all the way up to Arcade/Maryland. That area around Metropolitan State University is pretty bad too. I was walking around MSU last week and I parked by Maria Ave and 5th Street, I could not believe some of the houses in that block. Very trashy, ghetto looking! Also, they built a "short stay" hotel on Maria Ave and as I was walking, I noticed lots of shady people just sitting on the steps of the houses, I could not tell if they were homeless ppl, drug addicts or what, but some very strange vibes in that area. Also, I will never forget when that St Paul cop was shot(Vick?)..surprisingly by Arcade/Reaney Ave. For those of you considering moving to St Paul, stay away from the East Side..it might not look that bad, but it is very bad!!

[maknadif]

For not caring much for the area you seem to spend enough time there to give your opinion. Are you from the area? I'm a life long East Sider, until recently, and still spend everyday in the area (work- where my children go to school- etc...). It's not a small place (22,500+ residents with 57 different neighborhoods) so giving the entire East Side a negative reputation because of a few neighborhoods (that are propbably high in rental) is ignorant and unfair. Many East Siders contribute to the neighborhoods and St Paul in many positive ways.

If your concerned enough to have the opinion that you have, you may be so inclinded to give your time and energy to aiding the East Saint Paul residents in a better community rather than freely giving bad press. It happens to be one of the few areas that housing is still affordable to the every day working person. Check the East Side Review for upcoming events that envolve giving and community. Have a blessed day and smile knowing that there are those who care for the Old East Side.

[lukeache]

The problem with East St Paul is not the neighborhood itself, except for some slummy areas, most of it looks OK, I would say middle class for the most part, the problem with the area is the kind of element that the area attracts. I lived by 5th Street and Johnson Pkwy and never had any problems, however, if you drove a few blocks over, you would just come across some really shady people. If you are doing something to improve the East Side, good for you, but the only way to improve the area is to get rid of the "up to no good-lowlife-thug" element and bring some quality people into this neighborhood.

[IncredibleKaren]

I go to Metro State and never had any problems, even when I leave at night. I don't know if I can give a valid opinion though being that I'm in that area only for a few hours a week versus actually living there.

[lukeache]

Originally Posted by IncredibleKaren

I go to Metro State and never had any problems, even when I leave at night. I don't know if I can give a valid opinion though being that I'm in that area only for a few hours a week versus actually living there.

Karen, last week, I was at the Metro State Library and a student was crying on the phone because she turned around to make some copies and her wallet was stolen, all in a matter of five minutes. Next time, you go to the library, pay attention to the people that use the library as guests, not students. If you have the time, drive a few blocks north of campus, to the intersection of Arcade and 7th and you will start to see what I mean.

[mudmuffin]

You seem to be the only one who has a problem with the East Side. First of all, there is no East St. Paul as an official city. The area immediately east of downtown St. Paul and all the way over to Lake Phalen is considered the East Side. Some of these areas are very nice. Like any city, there are areas that are a little run down. Even Gary Indiana has some very nice neighborhoods.

[rorodada]

Lukeache, OMG dude! you need to get out more!
Where you from? I've driven through places where
I don't stop at the stop signs or red lights. lol.

I think a quick trip to Detroit

[nalts]

Born and raised in the Lake Phalen area, but live in the sticks now (the lure of a pretty woman does it every time!) ;-)

The East Side is a different duck. There are homes for under $150 and there are homes that I'm sure are over $500k. The East side is 1/3rd of St. Paul. It's a large area as some one else pointed out.

I will give you the fact that some parts have taken a turn for the worst. Usually it's the "Lower East Side" (typically south of Maryland) that gets the bad rap.

Still, to this day there is not one area that I would feel unsafe in. Take me to North Minneapolis and it's a different story.

[suzanneo]

Could you East-siders tell me about the area specifically around Hopkins St. and Brunson St.? We are thinking about buying a duplex and renting it out to possibly students or whomever. Is this a safe area? Can anyone give me details about the neighborhood? Thanks so much.

[dmg1mn]

Do you own a gun?